title: The Maudsley Family Study. I: Structural brain changes on magnetic resonance imaging in familial schizophrenia.
abstract: 1. The authors investigated the prevalence of qualitatively rated structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenic probands and their first-degree relatives from families multiply affected with schizophrenia. 2. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate brain morphology in 33 schizophrenic probands, 54 of their non-schizophrenic first-degree relatives (including 11 presumed obligate carriers) and 37 unrelated control subjects. Structural images were examined by a neuroradiologist who was blind to diagnostic and family status. 3. 52% of the schizophrenic subjects were rated as showing abnormalities compared with 27% of presumed obligate carriers, 16% of their non-schizophrenic relatives and 11% of unrelated controls. 4. Brain abnormalities were more frequent in schizophrenic subjects from multiplex families than in their first-degree relatives and controls. Abnormalities were also found in unaffected relatives particularly those who appear to be transmitting the disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: du Boulay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sigmundsson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gurling
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Murray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*